This Sauteed Spinach is made with fresh spinach sauteed with garlic and onions in olive oil and butter. It's the best, easiest and fastest spinach side dish that is healthy and low-carb diet friendly!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
One of my favorite side dishes that I can quickly whip up when short on time or when I need a healthy vegetable side, is this Sautéed Spinach. It's flavorful and a favorite with the whole family, even the kiddos like it!
Sautéed onion and garlic in olive oil and butter mixture are the perfect flavor base for fresh spinach. It's a healthy and low-carb option for any meal! This is hands-down the best sautéed spinach recipe you will make. It's healthy, delicious, and goes with any main course. You can also use it in grain bowls with cooked quinoa, rice, black beans, tofu, etc.
Ingredients:
- spinach: fresh is best, you can buy it in bunches or pre-washed and bagged;
- olive oil and butter: my favorite combo for sauteing vegetables;
- onion: helps build the flavor of the dish;
- garlic: perfect aromatic to pair with spinach; use fresh cloves or minced in a jar;
- soy sauce: the secret ingredient that adds umami flavor and takes the whole dish to a new level.
How do you sauté fresh spinach?
- Start by heating up olive oil in a large skillet. Add chopped onion and minced garlic and saute until fragrant and the onion is almost caramelized.
- Stir in soy sauce and fresh spinach. Cook stirring often until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
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Best tips!
- Let the onion caramelize. It will give the spinach dish a deeper, richer flavor. The addition of soy sauce deepens the flavor.
- Do not skimp on garlic! I love this dish quite garlicky and use up to 4 teaspoons of minced garlic.
- Use fresh spinach for the best result.
- You can roughly chop spinach leaves or use baby spinach.
Variations:
- Add bacon: cook bacon until crispy, then add onion and garlic. Stir in spinach and saute until wilted.
- Top seared chicken breast with spinach and cheese and bake for a flavorful and delicious quick meal!
- Mix with cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, tomatoes, and red onion for a delicious grain salad.
Recipe FAQs:
I do not recommend using frozen spinach in this recipe. You have to thaw it before using, and it will contain too much water and splatter once added to the onion in the skillet.
This is a question of preference. I don't mind the stems so I always leave them on. Less work! If you don't like the stems, simply cut them off or snip off with kitchen scissors.
From my experience, using fresh spinach prevents bitterness in the dish. Frozen spinach, after thawing, has a distinct flavor and once sautéed tends to be quite bitter. Use fresh, if you can.
More recipes with spinach:
If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!
The Best Sauteed Spinach
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic see note
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat up olive oil. Add onion and saute for 4 minutes. Add garlic and butter and saute until the onion is starting to brown.
- Add soy sauce and stir well. Add spinach and gently toss to mix with sauteed onion.
- Cook until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with.
- Fresh spinach is recommended for this recipe. Frozen spinach, after thawing, can be quite bitter.
- The soy sauce can be replaced by coconut aminos if you are looking to make this dish gluten-free.
Ngozi says
Best recipe ever!!!! Simple, and so tasty. I used sausage in mine. My daughter doesn't like spinach but she cleared her plate with this recipe. Definitely a keeper. Thank you so much!
Anna says
Yay! That's absolutely fantastic! I'm so glad! Thank you for making my recipe and for the comment!
Amy C Gorman says
I just decided today that if I rely so heavily on reviews, I really should start leaving a few.
Having said that… I love this simple spinach recipe. The ending flavors are mild but full of taste and will pair well with meat or seafood.
Gwen says
I used twice as much garlic and topped with Cod with cherry tomatoes and roasted garlic. Absolutely wonderful!
Nik says
I've made this twice now and instead of soy sauce, I used ponzu sauce. Tasted excellent! My husband and I both love it. It's definitely a keeper. 😊
Thanks!
Robin says
What a great idea! Might have some of the tart tang I recall from my grandmother's spinach. The onions and garlic alone could be used elsewhere, but they take this spinach over the top. Yum!
Anna says
I am so glad! Thank you, Robin!
RaDonna says
Lovely! Easy! Delish!
Mrs. McMeyersen says
Quick and yummy! Will be my go to prep for spinach from now on! I didn't have soy sauce so I substituted coconut aminos, next time I'll try soy sauce just to see if there's any noticeable difference with the flavor. Also used bacon grease instead of olive oil because I didn't have that either. I just moved so I haven't fully stocked my pantry yet.
Anna says
Love that! Thank you for making my recipe!
Terry says
Does it get any better? Quick prep, truly great flavor, AND healthy? Made it without the bacon (though I'm sure that would be delicious) and served with broiled salmon for dinner. Just lovely. This will become a staple in our house. Tasty enough for company, but quick enough for a weeknight dinner. (I think I'll try a squirt or two of fresh lemon juice next time. ) Thanks so much!
Joe says
What’s the reason for a white onion, rather than a yellow, sweet onion?
I like yellow onions, but I’m curious about “why white?”
Anna says
Ho Joe! You can certainly use the onion you like. Both yellow or white work great here. I hope you enjoy the dish!
A says
I normally despise sauteed spinach but my recipe called for some so I gave this recipe a shot. I absolutely plan on making this again because it tasted Amazing! I followed the recipe to the letter and it was perfect.
Anna says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!
Christine F says
Surprisingly good! Wanted to use up the giant tub of spinach without making my usual creamed spinach, which is delicious but heavy and somewhat time consuming... this was light and fast and also delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
Anna says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it, Christine! Thank you for trying my recipe!
Diane says
Best spinach ever !!!!!
Ali says
Wow! Was getting hungry and decided to cook up a marinated steak I had in the fridge and looked up some spinach recipes as a side, I came across this recipe and it did NOT disappoint! Extremely yummy and I'll be making again tomorrow! Lol thanks for sharing!!!
Kathy says
My husband & I both loved this spinach recipe.
Anna says
Thank you so much, Kathy!
Tom T. says
Wow, I went into this not have expectations. Absolutely delicious. I used coconut aminos in lieu of soy sauce due to a soy allergy. But it makes a huge difference. I've made this a ton of times without the soy sauce but this recipe enlightened me. Thank you!
Anna says
Hi Tom! That's absolutely fantastic! I am so glad you enjoyed the spinach. Thank you for giving my recipe a try!
Brenda M says
Made this tonight exactly as written. Absolutely delicious. The butter and soy sauce made the whole dish. .
Anna says
Thank you so much, Brenda!
Jonna says
I MUST SAY THIS IS 100+ INFINITY STARS RATING! lols .... I made this as a side dish for my chicken cutlets for dinner. Very delish! Thank you for this recipe ❤️
Anna says
Awesome!! Thank you, Jonna! I am so glad you love the recipe!